KJ Noons vs. Ryan Couture Added to Revised Strikeforce Champions Fight Card

A lightweight showdown between K.J. Noons and Ryan Couture has been added to the Strikeforce Champions event slated for Jan. 12 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Strikeforce officials on Wednesday announced that bout alongside confirming the previously reported fight between Gegard Mousasi and Mike Kyle.

Noons (11-5), the former EliteXC lightweight champion, has struggled of late under the Strikeforce banner, losing three of his last four bouts. All four of those bouts went to a decision, which is somewhat out of the norm for Noons, who is known for using his boxing skills to knock opponents out.

He’ll face no easy task getting back on track, however, as Couture has won his last three straight en route to a 6-1 record.

Couture has a strong all-around game, but Noons is the most accomplished fighter he has faced at this point in his career.

The Strikeforce Champions fight card, once expected to feature three title bouts, has undergone some major changes recently.

The Gilbert Melendez vs. Pat Healy lightweight title fight and the Luke Rockhold vs. Lorenz Larkin middleweight championship bout both fell off the card due to injuries.

Strikeforce welterweight champion Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine now headlines the Jan. 12 fight card.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/kj-noons-vs-ryan-couture-added-to-revised-strikeforce-champions-fight-card